The US has lost its status as the world's most competitive economy, according to the World Economic Forum.

The US now ranks only sixth in the body's league table of global competitiveness, behind Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Singapore.

Risks attached to the large US trade and fiscal deficits prompted its fall.

The UK has retained its place among the world's 10 most competitive economies but China, Russia and Brazil have all fallen down the rankings.

Imbalances

Countries were judged on how conducive their business climates are to sustaining economic growth.

Publishing its Global Competitiveness Index, the World Economic Forum (WEF) said the best performing countries were distinguished by their competent economic stewardship, investment in higher education and a emphasis on technological development and innovation.

Although the US remained the global engine of technology, WEF said its business environment was being endangered by the fragile state of its public finances.

GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX RANKINGS 2006 (2005)

1: Switzerland (4)

2: Finland: (2)

3: Sweden (7)

4: Denmark (3)

5: Singapore (5)

6: United States (1)

7: Japan (10)

8: Germany (6)

9: Netherlands (11)

10: United Kingdom (9)

Source: WEF

The US has seen its budget and trade deficits spiral in the past few years as a result of heavy government spending and rising trade imbalances with countries such as China and Japan.

The US trade deficit is expected to top last year's record level of $717bn (£378bn; 565bn euros) in 2006, while the budget shortfall, although expected to be significantly lower than last year, is still forecast to be close to $300bn.

"US competitiveness is threatened by large macroeconomic imbalances, particularly rising levels of public indebtedness associated with repeated fiscal deficits," the report said.

"Its relative ranking remains vulnerable to a possible disorderly adjustment of such imbalances."

Swiss peak

Switzerland is now regarded as the world's most competitive economy, with Nordic countries holding three of the five top rankings.

The WEF praised the UK for its flexible labour markets and low unemployment rate compared to the rest of continental Europe.

But it said the UK, in common with Germany and Italy, was afflicted by public sector deficits and rising levels of public indebtedness.

China, Russia and Brazil, among the world's fastest growing economies, all suffered a decline in their relative competitiveness.

China fell from 48 to 54 in the ranking, its rapid economic growth and low inflation offset by an over-regulated banking sector and low penetration of mobile and internet technology outside urban areas.

Russia slipped from 53 to 62, with concerns over the independence of the country's legal system and safeguarding of property rights singled out as key concerns, the WEF.

"The private sector in Russia has serious misgivings about the independence of the judiciary and the administration of justice," it said.